Similar in general layout to the aircraft that FBA had produced during World War I, the Type 17 was a conventional two-bay biplane with unequal-span, unstaggered wings and side-by-side open cockpits. The pusher engine was mounted on struts in the interplane gap. Apart from their use by the French Navy, a small number were sold to the Polish Navy, the Brazilian Air Force, and civil operators as well. Some versions were built as amphibians, and others had fittings to allow them to be catapulted from warships.
In 1931, the US Coast Guard purchased an example for evaluation, and being pleased with the design, arranged for the type to be built under licence by the Viking Flying Boat Company in New Haven, Connecticut. Six aircraft were eventually produced and served with the Coast Guard under the designation OO until the outbreak of World War II.
(Hydravion Mixte de Transport) 2-seat amphibious transport aircraft, Hispano-Suiza 8A-powered, (37 built)
A FBA-17HMT2 plane called Lubliniak, was bought by the Airborne and Antigas Defence League (LOPP) with was funds donated by the readers of Głos Lubelski, for use in propaganda flights across central and eastern Poland.[1]
17 HMB.2
17 HMT 2s already in service with the French Navy, were redesignated HMB 2, after being fitted with a bomb rack on the port side of the hull.
17 HMT.4
4-seat amphibious transport aircraft, Hispano-Suiza 8A-powered, (2 built)
17 HT.4
(Hydravion de Transport) 4-seat transport aircraft, Hispano-Suiza 8A-powered, (35 built)
